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Ask a Bible college Student
#31
RE: Ask a Bible college Student
(November 2, 2016 at 2:53 pm)Whateverist Wrote:
(November 2, 2016 at 2:40 pm)Emzap Wrote: Yes! There is a course about world religions, and I've studied various worldviews. The arguments are given for all sides, but with the focus being on the Christian worldview. Professors generally explain opposing world views, but continue to show the ways they are inadequate to explain the world we live in.


Can you tell me why you don't accept an allegorical rather than literal reading of the bible (assuming you don't)?

I accept the literal (historical-grammatical) interpretation of the Bible because that was what the author intended. The authors had a message to tell, and I choose to read based on authorial intent rather than reader response. Literal interpretation is the normal, customary sense. It is the only way to objectively interpret Scripture. Allegory doesn't interpret the text, it reads into it. Its not objective. Theres no way of saying what is right or wrong, and there may be various different interpretations. 

When reading and interpreting Scripture I try to understand what the author was trying to say to the original audience. This requires understanding the historical context of the writing. Then I determine the differences between now and then, and look for the theological principle behind the writing. I look at how consistent it is with the rest of scripture, and then last decide how we should understand and live out the principle today.

(November 2, 2016 at 2:56 pm)Homeless Nutter Wrote:
(November 2, 2016 at 2:40 pm)Emzap Wrote: Yes! There is a course about world religions, and I've studied various worldviews. The arguments are given for all sides, but with the focus being on the Christian worldview. Professors generally explain opposing world views, but continue to show the ways they are inadequate to explain the world we live in.

Oh, that's nice. But do tell, do the professors also point out ways in which christianity is inadequate to explain the world we live in?

We do look at the arguments against Christianity. However, just like any other belief system (including atheism), faith is needed, because not everything can be explained. There is a lot that we as humans do not know and cannot understand. Generally, as Christians we put our faith in a Bible verse- Deuteronomy 29:29 which says "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law."

We understand that we are not God, and cannot understand everything. The secret things belong to God. 
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#32
RE: Ask a Bible college Student
(November 2, 2016 at 2:56 pm)Emzap Wrote:
(November 2, 2016 at 1:57 pm)Jörmungandr Wrote: Why do you believe the bible is true?

I believe the Bible is true because I believe in the God spoken about in the Bible. I have experience the power of God, and He has transformed my life. There is a verse that says that all Scripture (the Bible) is God-breathed, which means that it is inspired by God. 

Also, looking objectively at the New Testament as a historical document, It was written close to the time of the events it talks about, and the earliest copy we have found is within 30 years of the original writing. There are 5800 historical copies found, and the accuracy compared to the originals is incredible. The New Testament as a historical document is historically reliable, which is a good reason to me to believe in it. Internally, it is consistent, even though there are many writers who contributed to the overall Bible who wrote over a long period of time.


And how do you know the impressive otherness of God you've experienced does't emanate entirely from you, and exclusively from each one of us .. with no creator/immortal reward backstory whatsoever?
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#33
RE: Ask a Bible college Student
Would you not agree that reading is inherently interpretation?
I am John Cena's hip-hop album.
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#34
RE: Ask a Bible college Student
(November 2, 2016 at 3:09 pm)ApeNotKillApe Wrote: Would you not agree that reading is inherently interpretation?

I would agree. People can make the Bible say anything they want, if they take it out of context. That is part of the reason why there is so much hypocrisy and hate coming from so-called Christians. When I read the Bible, I consider both the context of the passage in light of the rest of Scripture, as well as the historical context of the writing. A historical document should be read as just that- a historical document.
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#35
RE: Ask a Bible college Student
(November 2, 2016 at 3:04 pm)Emzap Wrote:
(November 2, 2016 at 2:53 pm)Whateverist Wrote: Can you tell me why you don't accept an allegorical rather than literal reading of the bible (assuming you don't)?

I accept the literal (historical-grammatical) interpretation of the Bible because that was what the author intended. The authors had a message to tell, and I choose to read based on authorial intent rather than reader response. Literal interpretation is the normal, customary sense.

Normal in your experience no doubt. But what if the usual in your experience is entirely mistaken? (I know, not your problem.)
 
(November 2, 2016 at 3:04 pm)Emzap Wrote: It is the only way to objectively interpret Scripture. Allegory doesn't interpret the text, it reads into it. Its not objective. Theres no way of saying what is right or wrong, and there may be various different interpretations.

Yep, definitely sounds like the red pill alternative to me. If it's comfy slumber you crave, stick the familiar blue pill.

https://youtu.be/zE7PKRjrid4


(November 2, 2016 at 3:04 pm)Emzap Wrote: When reading and interpreting Scripture I try to understand what the author was trying to say to the original audience. This requires understanding the historical context of the writing. Then I determine the differences between now and then, and look for the theological principle behind the writing. I look at how consistent it is with the rest of scripture, and then last decide how we should understand and live out the principle today.

But don't you also assume the bible's author(s?) was (were?) divinely inspired? Because if you start off assuming that, why try to dress up any of it as intellectual in nature. Isn't it really just what you like to believe?
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#36
RE: Ask a Bible college Student
(November 2, 2016 at 3:09 pm)Whateverist Wrote:
(November 2, 2016 at 2:56 pm)Emzap Wrote: I believe the Bible is true because I believe in the God spoken about in the Bible. I have experience the power of God, and He has transformed my life. There is a verse that says that all Scripture (the Bible) is God-breathed, which means that it is inspired by God. 

Also, looking objectively at the New Testament as a historical document, It was written close to the time of the events it talks about, and the earliest copy we have found is within 30 years of the original writing. There are 5800 historical copies found, and the accuracy compared to the originals is incredible. The New Testament as a historical document is historically reliable, which is a good reason to me to believe in it. Internally, it is consistent, even though there are many writers who contributed to the overall Bible who wrote over a long period of time.


And how do you know the impressive otherness of God you've experienced does't emanate entirely from you, and exclusively from each one of us .. with no creator/immortal reward backstory whatsoever?

Honestly, I do not know for sure. It is an element of faith. Also, I don't believe in the coincidence that when I pray for or about something, and it happens, that it was a result of wishful thinking. I attribute to God what belongs to Him. My life was a mess, but when I put all of my trust in Christ Jesus, I found hope.
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#37
RE: Ask a Bible college Student
Hope you don't mind that I'm conversing with you in a gloves-off manner. I mean you no disrespect in so doing. At base, we really just disagree on how to understand our experience. That doesn't make you unreasonable necessarily and I have no special access to the truth.
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#38
RE: Ask a Bible college Student
(November 2, 2016 at 3:18 pm)Whateverist Wrote:
(November 2, 2016 at 3:04 pm)Emzap Wrote: I accept the literal (historical-grammatical) interpretation of the Bible because that was what the author intended. The authors had a message to tell, and I choose to read based on authorial intent rather than reader response. Literal interpretation is the normal, customary sense.

Normal in your experience no doubt.  But what if the usual in your experience is entirely mistaken?  (I know, not your problem.)
 
(November 2, 2016 at 3:04 pm)Emzap Wrote: It is the only way to objectively interpret Scripture. Allegory doesn't interpret the text, it reads into it. Its not objective. Theres no way of saying what is right or wrong, and there may be various different interpretations.

Yep, definitely sounds like the red pill alternative to me.  If it's comfy slumber you crave, stick the familiar blue pill.

https://youtu.be/zE7PKRjrid4


(November 2, 2016 at 3:04 pm)Emzap Wrote: When reading and interpreting Scripture I try to understand what the author was trying to say to the original audience. This requires understanding the historical context of the writing. Then I determine the differences between now and then, and look for the theological principle behind the writing. I look at how consistent it is with the rest of scripture, and then last decide how we should understand and live out the principle today.

But don't you also assume the bible's author(s?) was (were?) divinely inspired?  Because if you start off assuming that, why try to dress up any of it as intellectual in nature.  Isn't it really just what you like to believe?

I do assume that the Bible's authors were divinely inspired. That gives me a basis for believing that what they wrote was true. From that point I still need to interpret it, and understand it, which is intellectual in nature. I like to believe that about it which is the basis for wanting to understanding it better.
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#39
RE: Ask a Bible college Student
Yes every assumption provides a basis. This one will keep you in sync with your family and community. (Blue pill.)
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#40
RE: Ask a Bible college Student
(November 2, 2016 at 3:04 pm)Emzap Wrote: We do look at the arguments against Christianity.

I don't think you looked at them quite closely enough...

(November 2, 2016 at 3:04 pm)Emzap Wrote: However, just like any other belief system (including atheism), faith is needed, because not everything can be explained.

Not knowing is not the same as faith. I'm perfectly fine not knowing things I can't know right now, or perhaps ever. I don't need to make up far-fetched explanations, or invoke magical entities and pretend they're somehow objectively true.

(November 2, 2016 at 3:04 pm)Emzap Wrote: There is a lot that we as humans do not know and cannot understand. Generally, as Christians we put our faith in a Bible verse- Deuteronomy 29:29 which says "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law."

We understand that we are not God, and cannot understand everything. The secret things belong to God. 

Yeah, those are pleasantly sounding platitudes. "We know what we know and we don't know what we don't know." I don't see at which point god is supposed to be necessary, though.

This bible school you go to - does it cost you anything? Because if so, I know of a way you could save a lot of time and money, and perhaps do something constructive, instead of filtering reality through the prism of bronze age mythology. Tongue
"The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one." - George Bernard Shaw
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